_edited.png)
Leadership Coaching
Leadership presence is embodied before it’s verbal.
Leadership doesn’t begin with words, strategy, or authority.
It begins with presence, how a leader regulates themselves under pressure, communicates in moments that matter, and sets the emotional tone others respond to.
​
At every level of leadership, emerging, senior, and executive, the ability to regulate stress directly shapes communication, alignment, and culture.
​
Heart First Leadership Coaching supports CEOs, executive teams, head coaches, club owners, athletic directors, and emerging leaders who want to build the capacity to navigate pressure without passing it down.
The Real Challenge Facing Leaders
At the highest levels, performance rarely breaks down because of strategy or intelligence.
​
It breaks down because of pressure, misalignment, and strained communication.
​​
-
Unclear roles, standards and communication processes
-
Lack of standards and accountability
-
Leadership teams reacting differently under stress
-
Tension or avoidance during hard conversations
-
Mixed messages unintentionally passed down the organization
-
Emotional pressure leaking into teams
-
Strong individuals struggling to operate as a unified leadership group
These are not personality issues.
They are nervous‑system challenges playing out in leadership environments.
Regulation Is Not a Wellness Practice — It’s a Leadership Skill
Ryan Sawyer, Founder Heart First Mental Strength Academy
In high-pressure environments, regulation determines how clearly leaders communicate, whether conflict builds trust or creates division, how aligned leadership teams remain under stress, and the emotional tone set for the entire organization.
The Science: Embodied Neuroscience in Leadership
Our work is grounded in embodied neuroscience, which recognizes that leadership is not just mental; it is experienced through the whole body.
​
The nervous system is constantly scanning for safety or threat through:
-
Tone of voice
-
Facial expression
-
Body language
-
Pace, presence, and energy
​
Under pressure:
-
Stress is felt in the body before the mind
-
Leaders may know what to do, but their nervous system determines how they show up
-
Communication narrows and alignment erodes, often unintentionally
​
Teams don’t struggle because leaders lack skill.
They struggle because unregulated nervous systems disrupt communication and trust.
What Leaders Are Saying
%20(6).png)
%20(4).png)
%20(5).png)
How We Work With Leaders and Teams
​Integrated Mindset for Leaders (Group Program)
Designed for executive teams and coaching staffs who need alignment, shared language, and consistent leadership presence under pressure.
​
Leaders develop:
-
Self‑regulation skills
-
Emotional intelligence and a common language around it
-
Clear communication under stress
-
Trust and accountability within leadership teams
1:1 Heart First Leadership Coaching
Confidential coaching for CEOs, head coaches, owners, senior leaders, and emerging leaders navigating increased responsibility, visibility, and pressure.
​
Focused on:
-
Leadership presence and identity
-
Emotional regulation and resilience
-
Neuroscience-backed communication strategies
-
High-level visualization tools to find clarity and alignment
-
Decision-making under pressure
Leadership Team Training & Ongoing Support
Workshops and continued support focused on:
​
-
Leadership team alignment
-
Shared vision and identity
-
Role clarity and trust
-
Standards and accountability
-
Communication and feedback
-
Psychological safety with accountability
-
Culture shaped at the top and fully integrated by the team
Coaching Outcomes
Leaders who:
-
Stay grounded under pressure
-
Communicate clearly and consistently
-
Lead difficult moments with intention
-
Model the culture they want replicated
​
Leadership teams who:
-
Speak the same language under stress
-
Trust each other in high‑stakes moments
-
Set a calm, steady emotional tone
-
Create resilient, high‑performing cultures
Trusted By
.png)
Start the Conversation
Let's explore your athlete's specific needs and goals, and how our mental performance training can support them, outlining your best next steps.
​
​Work with Spokane’s leading mental performance coach. Discover how Heart First Mental Strength Academy can help you or your athlete gain the confidence, focus, and resilience to compete — and win — from the inside out.
Book A Free Clarity Call
​
Your first step is to schedule a clarity call with us. This is a chance for you to share your goals, ask questions, and learn how our program can support you or your organization's growth.